Connecting communication rights to Universal Children's Day

A view of “Enlightened Universe” by artist Cristóbal Gabarrón at the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, New York City, celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Credit: UN Photo/Cia Pak.

Communication is an essential dimension of the issue of children’s rights, according to a presentation Nov. 19 in Geneva by Lorenzo Vargas, WACC project administrator.

Vargas explained that WACC’s work draws on the framework of communication rights, believing that everyone has the right to communicate and to be communicated to, in the same way that they have the right to food, shelter, and security. “In strategic alliances, we aim to be a catalyst for change for the common good, sharing information, knowledge, and experience in the field of communication,” he said.

Welcoming the alliance between WCC and UNICEF, he said that one of the seminar’s themes, supporting child-friendly churches, “is key to the attainment of children’s rights.”

The WCC-UNICEF partnership “is an opportunity to reflect about the ways different communities have depicted children and engaged with them over the years. The partnership also creates an opportunity to discuss the role of churches and faith-based organizations beyond the confines of the church, about the ways in which churches can create and strengthen communities, and about the kinds of communities we are creating through our work,” Vargas said.

From WACC’s perspective, he noted, there is a strong connection between communication rights and children’s rights, though this connection is rarely acknowledged. “In essence, children’s rights cannot be fully attained without taking into account the communication dimension of such rights,” Vargas said.

Some examples:

Children, parents, and local communities need to have access to information about children’s rights.

Ensuring the right of children to have a voice, be heard and taken seriously.

Promoting broad awareness of children’s rights discussion on the rights of children.

Protecting the cultural and language rights of children.

Building the communication skills of children.

Monitor and examine media discourses to ensure they contribute to a social climate that contributes to the attainment of children’s rights.

Children’s communication rights are often forgotten when governments and the communication industry argue for greater technological diffusion. WACC believes rights should always be a priority and that clear guidelines for children should form an integral part in discussions around access and technology.

The World Association for Christian Communication is registered in Canada as a not-for-profit corporation (438311-7) and an incorporated charitable organisation (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its offices at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7. WACC is also a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 16 Tavistock Crescent, London W11 1AP, United Kingdom.